Finally, Lu Jun poured money into materials to produce a seventh-generation ship built with iron birchwood as its frame, 250 feet long, 100 feet wide, with a three-and-a-half-layer structure, six masts, and nine sails. Terrifying data, isn't it? This was Lu Jun's ultimate battleship after burning through almost all the Lul Family's money.
It was estimated to be worth one hundred million coins, but considering research and manufacturing costs, as well as repeated experiments, it probably cost ten times the estimate. What's even worse is that no one is buying this ship now, and it ended up stuck with Lu Jun; meanwhile, the marines have no budget leftβ¦
Because of this series of events, Chen Xi's plan for large-scale nearshore fishing was canceled. However, Chen Xi was never that committed to it and forgot about asking after turning back. It wasn't until Liu Bei mentioned the lack of meat that Chen Xi remembered he had made such a plan.
Chen Xi also recalled that his family's cook had researched many ways to prepare salted fish and fresh sea fish, but Chen Xi hadn't paid much attention to these matters.
Naturally, it became Liu Bei's problem, but Liu Bei was used to taking the blame. Fortunately, when the Northern Huns came south, they brought a large number of cattle and sheep. After all, it wasn't his own stuff, so Liu Bei didn't worry about using it and let the soldiers eat to their heart's content.
As a result, after this period, soldiers heading north, having a diet of millet rice, mantou, and rich dishes, looked much healthier. It seems that continuing to eat like this would even increase their strength since people need to eat well to be strong.
"I wonder what we're eating today." Chen Xi remarked while walking out. Recently, the civil officials, including him, had some tasks, while the military generals and soldiers were relatively idle.
It was already winter, so these idle military generals hunted in groups on the grasslands every day, always bringing back some edible game. Then they prepared it together, and the middle and higher-ranked members of the army consumed it as lunch or dinner.
Overall, having mixed together for a while, this group of valiant warriors got to know each other quite well, and their shared level of martial arts significantly improved their relationships. Apart from some innate conflicts that couldn't be resolved, this group now behaved like a cohesive entity from the same faction.
"We caught a few yellow sheep. We were supposed to catch that Northern Huns' Golden-Winged Great Peng, but that creature flew too fast, and we really had no way to catch it." Zhao Yun said somewhat helplessly as he approached.
"Yellow sheep, huh? That's fine. Do these sheep have Inner Qi?" Chen Xi asked out of curiosity.
"We specifically hunt those with Inner Qi, but unfortunately, encountering beasts with Inner Qi Manifestation is a rare chance." Zhao Yun smacked his lips lightly.
That day, Dian Wei and Xu Chu brought back a prairie wolf they had killed, and everyone had a share after it was cooked. I must say, animals with Inner Qi Manifestation do taste better.
"It seems like there are more animals with Inner Qi now." Zhao Yun said, stroking his chin. "But luckily, it's nice to have food, and animals with Inner Qi taste even better."
"Oh, oh, has there been anything going on with Lord Xuande and Lord Cao lately?" Chen Xi didn't seem particularly concerned by Zhao Yun's words and instead asked him another question.
"It doesn't seem like much has happened recently. General Dian and Zhongkang have also been sent away, so the Lord and Lord Cao mainly spend their time patrolling the camp every day." Zhao Yun thought for a moment and replied.
"Oh, that's not too bad then." Chen Xi nodded, not finding anything amiss.
However, when a group of them was eating at noon, Chen Xi noticed that Cao Cao's gaze toward Liu Bei seemed off, as if he wanted to fight. What was going on? Hadn't they reached an agreement to put aside differences before? Why did they fall out again?
With the strange expressions of Cao Cao and Liu Bei, naturally, the civil officials and generals eating below restrained themselves a bit. Instead, the likes of Zhou Yu and others, who had gone north to besiege the high cart-driving Huns, seemed indifferent. Chen Xi even noticed an expression of amusement on Zhou Yu's face.
Zhou Yu seemed to be looking for trouble, so when Zhou Yu attempted to speak, Chen Xi glared at him and shot a warning glance, while using Voice Transmission to Liu Bei.
"Lord Xuande, did you and Lord Cao have a falling out again?" Chen Xi communicated with Liu Bei telepathically with a look of exasperation. As far as he remembered, the two had been confiding in and understanding each other.
"How would I know? Cao Mengde just suddenly became like this, out of nowhere. Previously, I even took him around the camp, inquiring about the soldiers' recent situation and checking on the wounded. I have no idea why he suddenly became like this." Liu Bei was also bewildered, having no clue why Cao Cao suddenly turned against him.
"Come on, explain in detail. Maybe I can help you resolve it." Chen Xi immediately used Voice Transmission again to Liu Bei upon hearing this.
In the past few days, Liu Bei and Cao Cao wandered around the camps, each narrating their own ideals and demonstrating their will, despite many conflicting areas, with both gradually understanding each other, resulting in fewer tense moments.
Since they were together, they sent Xu Chu and Dian Wei away, as those two were always wandering off, inevitably leading to arguments and near-fights. Before the lords fought, Xu Chu and Dian Wei had already started.
Later, Xu Chu and Dian Wei realized that Cao Cao and Liu Bei were just bickering. As their thoughts clashed, their willingness to act when sparks flew meant they were understanding each other's will. So in these situations, the two feigned fights to resolve matters.
Eventually, Cao Cao and Liu Bei sent them away, as they didn't need escorts in such a large army camp because security wasn't an issue.
Without Dian Wei and Xu Chu, Cao Cao and Liu Bei no longer needed to maintain their monarchial dignity. When they ran out of words during their debates, they would start bickering physically. Both were evenly matched, going to Hua Tuo for treatment afterward, before continuing their debates.
With this constant back-and-forth, their wills became nearly identical, with similar experiences and sharper reasonings. While both persisted in their own paths, they became more accepting of each other's principles.
At this stage, a decisive victory between Liu Bei and Cao Cao would suffice, avoiding the scenario of "both right but intolerant," leading to a brutal showdown to assert whose philosophy was superior.
But today, while wandering the camp, a Centurion under Cao Cao ran past them. When Cao Cao asked him to slow down, Liu Bei called out his name...
Cao Cao was quite amazed; Liu Bei could recognize his minor soldiers.
Later, they encountered a Cavalry Captain who saluted both of them. This one belonged to Liu Bei, and naturally, Liu Bei knew his name, causing Cao Cao to stroke his short, bristly beard, inexplicably feeling something stingy on it.
Subsequently, for reasons unknown, they ran into several Centurions that day. Liu Bei could call everyone's name, and half of them were under Cao Cao.
Cao Cao was baffled. How did he keep encountering, and Liu Bei recognized every single one of themβwhat was happening here? At this point, Cao Cao hadn't quite realized the situation.
After a while, they encountered a group of Centurions from both sides brawling together. Such lively interactions between camp members, as long as they weren't too serious, were usually ignored. Both sides had twenty or thirty men, but Cao Cao could only recognize one Grand Commander...
However, Liu Bei seemed to know everyone's name. Hmm, it appeared Liu Bei could also call out the names of all Centurions under Cao Cao. At this point, Cao Cao, even if he were foolish, realized, "Liu Bei, do you really know all my Centurions? What are you planning?"
